While this is not what I would necessarily consider a "high end" pc, I have games in mind so I posted it here:
I'll start off by saying my name is Andy, I am looking to build a computer for the first time with only knowledge gained from past computer troubles. I have at some point replaced probably half of the parts of my old computer, and will be working with a friend who has built before, so mainly I'm looking for parts advice. Here are my goals and major questions before I list what I feel might be possibly a good set of parts for me:
-A $500 dollar budget without monitor, I have something that will suffice for now
-The ability to run modern games (I am worried about this), but really I want to try the new Starcraft and play Diablo 3 whenever they decide to release it. I also like to play some first person shooters if possible. I don't know how well this goal fits with my budget, so that could be a quick shoot down on my plans.
-I don't want this system to fall out of date very quickly, and if something should, I would like to be able to upgrade, maybe a 5 year life? Is that reasonable?
-I want this to be worth the money, by that I mean, after you look at my plans and goals, could I go grab something off the shelf that will compare to some degree and save myself some trouble.
-Low stress build, I have put myself through some projects in my time, and I tend to get myself into trouble with a small gap in planning or issues with compatibility, I want to put this together and not go, I just wanna send this crap back this is insane.
-I assume you guys won't be, but please don't be afraid to tell me if something is unreasonable, whether for the parts I'm using or the type of build and system use I am going for. Maybe I'm picking too much processor for the rest of my system or anything really, let me know, I am clearly on a budget and I don't want to waste money
-I have a few other questions, but I will put them at the end because they are more purchase related.
That being said, here is what I was thinking:
Processor
AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Motherboard - Something I have very little knowledge about
ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
should I consider the -LM, what is the difference
RAM - Aware of RAM and it's importance, just not sure what a good company is
suggestions here would be nice, but I'll throw out an option I saw anyway - thinking 4 gigs (2x2)
Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2K2/4G
Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2K2/4G
Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Video Card - I am thinking this should be the major gaming concern
ASUS EAH4650/DI/1GD2(LP) Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card
Newegg.com - ASUS EAH4650/DI/1GD2(LP) Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card
DVD drive - little concern to me
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM
Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - CD / DVD Burners
Case - Also of little concern to me, but a decently sturdy cheap case with good air flow and preferably not low USB ports would be nice
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE Luxo X142 Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
or
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
For now I am now worried about speakers, keyboard, mouse, and like I said, monitor, although I will probably get a monitor eventually so I don't have to double up use on my TV. Am I missing anything else? Here are a few last questions, if anyone isn't tired of reading my topic yet.
-What should be my cooling concerns with these or any other cases, should I buy an extra fan?
-I hear alot about overclocking, should it be something I consider?
-Is ordering all of this from newegg.com most likely the best or a very good option?
Thank you very much
-Andy
I'll start off by saying my name is Andy, I am looking to build a computer for the first time with only knowledge gained from past computer troubles. I have at some point replaced probably half of the parts of my old computer, and will be working with a friend who has built before, so mainly I'm looking for parts advice. Here are my goals and major questions before I list what I feel might be possibly a good set of parts for me:
-A $500 dollar budget without monitor, I have something that will suffice for now
-The ability to run modern games (I am worried about this), but really I want to try the new Starcraft and play Diablo 3 whenever they decide to release it. I also like to play some first person shooters if possible. I don't know how well this goal fits with my budget, so that could be a quick shoot down on my plans.
-I don't want this system to fall out of date very quickly, and if something should, I would like to be able to upgrade, maybe a 5 year life? Is that reasonable?
-I want this to be worth the money, by that I mean, after you look at my plans and goals, could I go grab something off the shelf that will compare to some degree and save myself some trouble.
-Low stress build, I have put myself through some projects in my time, and I tend to get myself into trouble with a small gap in planning or issues with compatibility, I want to put this together and not go, I just wanna send this crap back this is insane.
-I assume you guys won't be, but please don't be afraid to tell me if something is unreasonable, whether for the parts I'm using or the type of build and system use I am going for. Maybe I'm picking too much processor for the rest of my system or anything really, let me know, I am clearly on a budget and I don't want to waste money
-I have a few other questions, but I will put them at the end because they are more purchase related.
That being said, here is what I was thinking:
Processor
AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Motherboard - Something I have very little knowledge about
ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
should I consider the -LM, what is the difference
RAM - Aware of RAM and it's importance, just not sure what a good company is
suggestions here would be nice, but I'll throw out an option I saw anyway - thinking 4 gigs (2x2)
Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2K2/4G
Newegg.com - Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2K2/4G
Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Video Card - I am thinking this should be the major gaming concern
ASUS EAH4650/DI/1GD2(LP) Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card
Newegg.com - ASUS EAH4650/DI/1GD2(LP) Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card
DVD drive - little concern to me
Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - OEM
Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD/CD Rewritable Drive - CD / DVD Burners
Case - Also of little concern to me, but a decently sturdy cheap case with good air flow and preferably not low USB ports would be nice
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE Luxo X142 Black SECC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
or
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite RC-310-BWN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
For now I am now worried about speakers, keyboard, mouse, and like I said, monitor, although I will probably get a monitor eventually so I don't have to double up use on my TV. Am I missing anything else? Here are a few last questions, if anyone isn't tired of reading my topic yet.
-What should be my cooling concerns with these or any other cases, should I buy an extra fan?
-I hear alot about overclocking, should it be something I consider?
-Is ordering all of this from newegg.com most likely the best or a very good option?
Thank you very much
-Andy
